The Code Enforcement Division of DOTS is the “building department" of the Town and is responsible for the effective, timely and consistent enforcement of local and state laws. One of the major responsibilities of the Code Enforcement Division is the issuance of building permits, demolition permits and certificates of occupancy. Prior to the issuance of any permit, Code Enforcement staff performs site inspections and conducts a full review, including coordination with our Engineering Division.

All zoning and zoning issues - including applications before the Zoning Board of Appeals is administered through the DOTS - Code Enforcement division. For more information about the ZBA - call 914-734-1010.

In addition, Code Enforcement is responsible for the review and issuance of several other permits including: steep slopes and wetlands permits, sign permits, alarm permits and prior to zoning letters and duplicate certificates of occupancy in connection with municipal searches.

Code Enforcement personnel include building inspectors, fire inspector and code enforcement officers. Their role is to investigate complaints regarding Town and NYS Building Codes and issuing violations and appearance tickets as well as to review building permit applications and determine whether one needs to bring a case before the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Fire Inspector performs regular fire inspections on commercial and multi-family properties and acts as the Towns liaison to the Fire Advisory Board.

Code also encompasses parking enforcement and animal control in the Town and they investigate complaints concerning animal control (dog & cats) and provide parking enforcement (handicap & fire lanes) on commercial properties and issues violations and appearance tickets, when appropriate.

As a result of recent legislation, Amandas Law went into effect on February 22, 2010. Amanda's Law was named in honor of Buffalo resident Amanda Hansen, a teenage girl who lost her life to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from a defective boiler when sleeping over a friend's house in January 2009.

It requires essentially all residences, both new and existing, to have carbon monoxide alarms installed. The specific requirements differ for new and existing residences and also on when the buildings were built and subcategories of occupancy groups.

Carbon Monoxide Facts:

Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States.

Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer - you cannot see it, smell it or taste it. The ONLY safe way to detect it is with a carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon Monoxide alarms range in price from $20 to $50, depending on additional features.

Most CO incidents happen during the winter months, mainly due to an increased use in fuel-burning appliances.

At high concentration levels, CO can be fatal in minutes. CO rapidly accumulates in the blood and is attracted to the hemoglobin in your bloodstream. When breathed in, CO passes through the lungs and bonds with hemoglobin, displacing the oxygen that cells need to function.

Probably the most asked questions will be the requirement for existing one and two-family residences. At a minimum if there is a CO source in the home, then they will be required to have one carbon monoxide alarm installed on the lowest story having a sleeping area.

The new law requires the following:

CO alarms must be installed in all new and existing one and two-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings and rentals having a fuel-burning appliance, system or attached garage.

The NFPA recommends CO alarms be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.

CO alarms must be listed to comply with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) 2034 or CSA (Candadian Standards Association) 6.19 and installed in accordance with manufactureres instructions.

For more information about carbon monoxide and other fire safety information, visit the Office of Fire Prevention and Control's website at www.dos.state.ny.us/fire contact the Town of Cortlandt Code Enforcement Office at 914-734-1010 or email your questions to Holly Haight, Fire Inspector at

hollyh@townofcortlandt.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE Code Enforcement DIVISION INCLUDING A CONTACT AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - PLEASE CLICK ON PAGE NAVIGATION ON THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER AND VIEW THE DIFFERENT DROP DOWN MENUS.